Corrections Officer Manuel Gonzales

Correctional Officer Manuel A. Gonzalez, Jr., 43, a 16-year employee of the California Department of Corrections, died following a stabbing incident involving an inmate at California Institution for Men (CIM). This tragic murder of a California correctional peace officer is the first in nearly 20 years.

At approximately 10:50 a.m. today, Officer Gonzalez was stabbed while performing his duties at CIM.
The officer was transported to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment where he subsequently died.
His next of kin was notified. The CDC Law Enforcement and Investigations Unit and the Chino Police Department are conducting the investigation at this time.

Three inmates are being questioned about today’s incident. One inmate is believed to have been responsible for the murder; however, investigators are questioning two other inmates.

The primary inmate suspect in the murder is Jon Christopher Blaylock, 35, who was committed from
Los Angeles County in June 2004 after being convicted of attempted murder of a peace officer. He was given a sentence of 75 years and had served time at CDC twice before, for attempted burglary in 1990
and in 1993. He was last released from prison in April 2002.